TORONTO - While the Maple Leafs officially say they have plenty of room to carry three goaltenders, it’s become increasingly obvious that Swedish netminder Jonas Gustavsson is the odd man out in Toronto. On Tuesday night against the Panthers, James Reimer took over the lanky Swede’s usual duty as backup to Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Gustavsson (6-13-2, 3.28 GAA, .890 save percentage) watched the game from the press box, and though the team still is trying to put a positive spin on things, it is likely the Leafs are going to rely more heavily on Reimer and probably ask Gustavsson to take a reconditioning stint with the Marlies after they return from the AHL all-star break on Saturday.

Gustavsson said after the Leafs’ morning skate on Tuesday that nobody has discussed the reconditioning stint with him and that he is just working hard and staying positive.

But comments made by coach Ron Wilson after the morning skate made it clear the Leafs are thinking Reimer not Gustavsson.

“The important thing right now is development. The only way you can rebuild your confidence is to play and practice well,” Wilson said of Gustavsson. “If the guy’s a 10-year vet, that’s not something you even discuss (a reconditioning stint), but Jonas has only played 50 or so NHL games. That’s what we have to take into consideration, what’s best for the organization and his future as well.”

Wilson went on to say that Reimer (4-3, 2.24 GAA, .933 save percentage) has played well in his limited time with the Leafs and that he “won’t hesitate” to use the Winnipeg native in game situations.

THE TIME IS NOW

The Leafs went into last night’s contest against the Panthers well rested after having about a week off because of the all-star break. But they also went into the contest desperate. The players know that every game now is a must-win situation for them, if they are to make the long climb up into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Including last night’s contest, the Leafs had four consecutive games against teams that sit between themselves and that final playoff spot. Win three out of four and they are still in the hunt. Lose a majority of the games and, well, you do the math.

“We can’t really look at the standings right now,” Giguere said. “We just have to take one game at a time. Get two points, two points, two points and then the more you do that, one day maybe we’ll look up and be fighting for a playoff spot. You’ve just got to take it one day at a time.”

Phil Kessel, the Leafs’ lone representative at the all-star game over the weekend, agreed.

“There’s still a lot of time left. There are 32 games left, and that’s a lot of hockey. You win a bunch of games and you’re right back in it. We have to try to win every game, hopefully get on a streak and get back in it.”

LOOSE LEAFS

Wilson on a Hockey Night In Canada/NHLPA poll released during the all-star weekend that said 24% of players in the league would not want to play for him: “It’s an anonymous poll so I personally don’t put much credence into things like that” … Wilson on why forward Clarke MacArthur has played so well this season: “Well, he’s the only guy who voted that he liked me (in the poll).” The comment elicited plenty of laughter from the media ... Tough guy Colton Orr has been sidelined since his face slammed into the ice at the conclusion of a fight with Anaheim’s George Parros on Jan. 20. He has since been placed on IR and no timetable has been set for his return. “He’s going through some further tests, that’s as far as I’ll go on that,” Wilson said.